Has Iwobi Eclipsed Iheanacho? -Nigerian Wonderkid Steals the Show for Arsenal

The Arsenal wonderkid appears desperate to ensure that the year is remembered for him and not his Man City compatriot

After waiting years for a sensational Nigerian starlet to break onto the scene, two have come along at once.

Following his superb intervention against Everton, it looks as though Alex Iwobi could be set to steal the limelight from Kelechi Iheanacho as Nigeria's breakout star of the season.

It's been an incredible week for Iwobi, who has been on the fringes of the Arsenal for much of the campaign, but has truly made his mark in the last week.

He was handed an unexpected start against Barcelona in the Champions League—profiting from Arsene Wenger's disappearing faith in Theo Walcott—and dazzled for the best part of an hour before being withdrawn as fatigue took its toll.

The Gunners were praised post-match for being one of the most impressive sides to tackle Barca at the Camp Nou this season, and Iwobi, with his sharp movement, boldness in the dribble and technique, was a big part of this.

Arsenal, perhaps buoyed by their midweek showing—albeit in defeat—in the Champions League, were a side transformed against Everton on Saturday. Gone was the meekness and timidity of the FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Watford, and Wenger's chosen XI were bold and menacing, with each of his superstars demonstrating the kind of invention and creativity that prompted Wenger to bring him to the club in the first place.

Iwobi shone amongst his talented peers, and once again the superb composure he demonstrated against Barca was evident as the Toffees were outclassed.

The 19-year-old added the Gunners' second in the 42nd minute when he met Hector Bellerin's fine pass and finished past Joel Robles.

At that point, it was hard to believe that Jay-Jay Okocha's nephew had—before that moment—played just 40 minutes over five brief cameos in the Premier League.

The mantle is now handed over to Kelechi Iheanacho, who will surely have some part to play in the Manchester Derby on Sunday as City host rivals United in a battle for the top four.

The Sky Blues wonderkid—19, like Iwobi—is a household name in the EPL compared to his compatriot, having already played for 414 minutes in the division this term.

It's been an incredible year for Iheanacho, who has evolved from being an eye-catching sideshow during City's pre-season to making 20 appearances in the Premier League, scoring three goals and contributing one assist.

Perhaps it's been a disappointing campaign for the Citizens—even if they've broken new ground in the Champions League—but Iheanacho has been a ray of light.

He's also made his Super Eagles debut, and looks set to lead the line for the national side for over a decade to come.

However, the forward—who has four in three in the FA Cup, and also broke his duck on his Champions League debut—hasn't done too much that's been quite as eye-catching as Iwobi's contribution against Everton on Saturday!

On a broader note, and seeking to move away from the near endless need for comparisons and counter-comparisons that flood the football fan's psyche, just how excited should Nigeria fans be about a future with these two starlets at the helm?

The prospect of both Iwobi and Iheanacho featuring together for the Super Eagles—and both are already capped—is a mesmerising one that should have every fan of the national side looking ahead to a thrilling future.

While neither has yet to truly demonstrate that he can be an elite leading man—Iwobi's finest moments have come on the flanks, while Iheanacho's intelligence may see him best employed just off a leading man such as Odion Ighalo—the pair have, individually, the capacity to transform Nigeria's attack.

What could Nigeria have done with Iwobi on the left against France in the 2014 World Cup, by which point, Stephen Keshi had attempted to use a number of players to fill the role?

The prospect of some combination of Iwobi, Iheanacho, Ighalo, as well as Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa leading the line for the Super Eagles is delicious, and that's without beginning to discuss the various forwards who find themselves in and around the squad today or the vast reservoirs of youth talent just waiting to make their mark on the senior side.